Retail

Kroger Corporate Office

Kroger was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1883 by Bernard Kroger who invested his life savings of $372 to open a grocery store in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Cincinnati. Kroger was the son of a grocer and his motto was simple “Don’t sell anything you wouldn’t buy for yourself.”

Soon, Kroger was experimenting with different products, such as baked goods, so customers wouldn’t have to go to the baker. He was one of the original starters for One Stop Shopping.

Ahead of his time, Kroger was the first merchant to offer self-service. In the past, customers handed a list or asked a merchant for items behind the counter, Kroger allowed customers to browse through aisles themselves.

In the 1930s, Kroger was the first grocery to monitor product quality and first to have a store surrounded on all sides by a parking lot.

In 1955, Kroger acquired Henke & Pillot.

In the 1970s, Kroger was the first chain to introduce electronic checkout scanners. In 1972, the company constructed what was a the time the largest, most modern dairy facility in the US.

In 1983, Kroger acquired the Dillon Companies, a Kansas grocery chain. David Dillion is the current CEO of Kroger.

Many other acquisitions followed in recent years including Pay Less Food Markets, Hilander Foods and Scott’s Food & Pharmacy.

In 1997, the company merged with Fred Meyer.

In April of 2016, the company announced that they had taken a significant share in the Lucky supermarket chain.

In early 2017, the company announced that it needed to hire at least 10,000 full-time employees in the coming year. That same year, the company acquired Murray’s Cheese and stopped offering senior citizen discount days.

Kroger opened their first convenience store in Blacklick, Ohio, called Fresh Eats MKT. Each location will offer a Starbucks, as well as a Kroger Pharmacy.

Kroger is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: KR. In 2016, the company had annual revenue of $115.3 billion.

The company has been banning the use of Visa cards for payments due to high fees, with the most recent announcement in March 2019 that they would no longer accept Visa at their Smith’s Foods locations starting April 3rd, 2019.

In October 2022, the company announced that it would buy top competitor Albertsons Companies in a massive deal for more than $26 billion. If approved this would make Kroger, by far, the largest supermarket chain in the US.

Today, the company operates over 3500 stores. The Kroger corporate office is still located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kroger

Soon, Kroger was experimenting with different products, such as baked goods, so customers wouldn’t have to go to the baker. He was one of the original starters for One Stop Shopping.

History

In the 1930s, Kroger was the first grocery to monitor product quality and first to have a store surrounded on all sides by a parking lot.

In 1955, Kroger acquired Henke & Pillot.

In the 1970s, Kroger was the first chain to introduce electronic checkout scanners. In 1972, the company constructed what was a the time the largest, most modern dairy facility in the US.

In 1983, Kroger acquired the Dillon Companies, a Kansas grocery chain. David Dillion is the current CEO of Kroger.

Many other acquisitions followed in recent years including Pay Less Food Markets, Hilander Foods and Scott’s Food & Pharmacy.

In 1997, the company merged with Fred Meyer.

In April of 2016, the company announced that they had taken a significant share in the Lucky supermarket chain.

Kroger opened their first convenience store in Blacklick, Ohio, called Fresh Eats MKT. Each location will offer a Starbucks, as well as a Kroger Pharmacy.

Kroger is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: KR. In 2016, the company had annual revenue of $115.3 billion.

Today, the company operates over 3500 stores. The Kroger corporate office is still located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Abercrombie and Fitch Corporate Office

Founded in 1892 in Manhatten by David Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch, the original Abercrombie and Fitch produced very high end outdoor clothing and supplies.

In 1976, the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In 1979, Oshman’s Sporting Goods purchased the rights to the business name. The business was relaunched as a mail order company.

In 1988, Oshman’s sold the company to Columbus, Ohio based Limited Company. The Limited changed the company to a casual clothing company targeting 18-25 year olds.

Leslie (Les) Wexner hired Michael Jeffries as CEO to revitalize the company. Jeffries was always controversial and also extremely highly paid. His 2011 compensation was $46.6 million.

Michael (Mike) Jeffries stepped down on December 9, 2014 due to mass criticism and nearly 3 years of declining revenue. Joanne Crevoiserat replaced Jeffries as interim CEO.

The company currently has over 1000 locations worldwide. The Abercrombie corporate office is located in New Albany, Ohio.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Founded in 1892 in Manhatten by David Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch, the original Abercrombie and Fitch produced very high end outdoor clothing and supplies.

In 1976, the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In 1979, Oshman’s Sporting Goods purchased the rights to the business name. The business was relaunched as a mail order company.

History

In 1988, Oshman’s sold the company to Columbus, Ohio based Limited Company. The Limited changed the company to a casual clothing company targeting 18-25 year olds.

Leslie (Les) Wexner hired Michael Jeffries as CEO to revitalize the company. Jeffries was always controversial and also extremely highly paid. His 2011 compensation was $46.6 million.

Michael (Mike) Jeffries stepped down on December 9, 2014 due to mass criticism and nearly 3 years of declining revenue. Joanne Crevoiserat replaced Jeffries as interim CEO.

The company currently has over 1000 locations worldwide. The Abercrombie corporate office is located in New Albany, Ohio.

Tractor Supply Corporate Office

Tractor Supply Company, or TSC for short, began in 1938 as a mail order tractor parts business founded by Charles E. Schmidt, Sr. In 1939, the first retail store opened in Minot, North Dakota.

The company sells agriculture equipment, pet supplies, home improvement, and lawn and garden maintenance items.

In 1958, the company went public and growth accelerated.

In 1966, the company opens stores in Ontario, Canada.

In 1969, the company is purchased by National Industries. Then they are acquired by Fuqua Industries in 1978.

In 1982, a leveraged buyout (LBO) is led by upper management of the company.

In 1987, all Canadian stores are sold to Murray Cummins.

Today, TSC has over 1800 stores in 49 US states. Annual revenue in 2018 was $7.911 billion.

Tractor Supply continues to thrive by avoiding tariffs and appealing to both agricultural farmers and home owners.

In September 2019, the company stated that charities that were offering rifles as prizes for winning a raffle would no longer be allowed to sell tickets from storefronts.

In December 2022, The Motley Fool stated that Tractor Supply stock was a bargain and posted it as a “buy”.

In October 2022, Tractor Supply acquired Orscheln Farm and Home for $238 million.

It is unknown if Orscheln will be rebranded as Tractor Supply.

The Tractor Supply corporate office is located in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Tractor Supply

Tractor Supply Company, or TSC for short, began in 1938 as a mail order tractor parts business founded by Charles E. Schmidt, Sr. In 1939, the first retail store opened in Minot, North Dakota.

The company sells agriculture equipment, pet supplies, home improvement, and lawn and garden maintenance items.

History

In 1958, the company went public and growth accelerated.

In 1966, the company opens stores in Ontario, Canada.

In 1969, the company is purchased by National Industries. Then they are acquired by Fuqua Industries in 1978.

In 1982, a leveraged buyout (LBO) is led by upper management of the company.

In 1987, all Canadian stores are sold to Murray Cummins.

Today, TSC has over 1800 stores in 49 US states. Annual revenue in 2018 was $7.911 billion.

Tractor Supply continues to thrive by avoiding tariffs and appealing to both agricultural farmers and home owners.

In September 2019, the company stated that charities that were offering rifles as prizes for winning a raffle would no longer be allowed to sell tickets from storefronts.

In December 2022, The Motley Fool stated that Tractor Supply stock was a bargain and posted it as a “buy”.

In October 2022, Tractor Supply acquired Orscheln Farm and Home for $238 million.

It is unknown if Orscheln will be rebranded as Tractor Supply.

The Tractor Supply corporate office is located in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Corporate Office

In 1948, Richard, “Dick” Stack was working for an army surplus store. The owner asked young 18-year-old Dick if he had any ideas for other items that they could add to their inventory. Dick said that the thought fishing supplies (bait and tackle) would sell well. The store owner laughed and said that Dick would never be a merchant.

Disappointed, Dick told his grandmother this story. “Go for your dreams”, she told her grandson and handed him $300 of her own savings. Dick used the money to buy some stock and open a small storefront.

In the mid-1950s, the store began selling general sports merchandise. In the early 60s, the first Dick’s Sporting Goods store was opened.

Under the supervision of the man who would “never be a good merchant”, the store flourished and a second location was opened in Vestal, New York.

Dick Stack retired in 1984 and his son Eddie, the current CEO, took over the business. Edward Stack has served as chairman and chief executive officer of his father’s company since 1984, having started with the company full-time in 1977, and gradually working his way up in a variety of positions, including store clerk, merchandise manager, store manager and president.

The chain expanded quickly under Eddie. They began opening more stores across Upstate New York in the 1990s.

In 1994, the Dick’s Sporting Goods corporate office was moved from Binghamton, NY to Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

In early February 2018, Dick’s put out a press release which acknowledged that, in November 2017, it was responsible for the sale of a shotgun to the perpetrator of the Stoneman Douglas High School, Florida, shooting. Although it was not the gun that was used in that shooting, the company stated that “on so many levels that the systems in place are not effective to protect our kids and our citizens”, Dick’s announced the immediate end of all sales of assault-style type rifles. The company had done this previously in 2012 but claims it will not reverse its stance on the issue this time around. Dick’s also said it would no longer sell high capacity magazines, nor would they sell guns to people under the age of 21. This move cost the company at least a quarter of a billion dollars, according to the CEO.

CEO Ed Stack also stated in an October 2019 interview that the company destroyed nearly $5 million dollars worth of assault-style weapons they had in stock, rather than return them to the manufacturers for credit, thus preventing them from ever being used.

He also slammed Senate leader Mitch McConnell for not allowing a vote on universal background checks for firearms.

Today, the company operates over 610 stores in 42 US states. In 2016, the company had annual revenue of $7.92 billion. The company is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol DKS.

Dick's Sporting Goods

History

In the mid-1950s, the store began selling general sports merchandise. In the early 60s, the first Dick’s Sporting Goods store was opened.

Under the supervision of the man who would “never be a good merchant”, the store flourished and a second location was opened in Vestal, New York.

The chain expanded quickly under Eddie. They began opening more stores across Upstate New York in the 1990s.

In 1994, the Dick’s Sporting Goods corporate office was moved from Binghamton, NY to Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

He also slammed Senate leader Mitch McConnell for not allowing a vote on universal background checks for firearms.

Today, the company operates over 610 stores in 42 US states. In 2016, the company had annual revenue of $7.92 billion. The company is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol DKS.

Whole Foods Corporate Office

Whole Foods Market began in 1978 when current CEO John Mackey and his girlfriend opened a natural food store called SaferWay in Santa Monica, California.

In 1980, SaferWay merged with another natural grocery store, resulting in the first Whole Foods location in Austin, Texas.

The following year, a huge flood devastated Austin. Whole Foods lost all of their inventory and had no insurance. Neighbors chipped in to help fix the damage.

In 1984, Whole Foods expanded to Houston and Dallas. In 1988, the expansion continued to New Orleans. In 1989, a Palo Alto location was opened on the west coast.

The company continued to grow in the 90s and the 100th location opened in Torrence, CA in 1999.

There were several acquisitions in the 2000s and the chain continued to grow. A flagship 80,000 sq ft store was built in Austin in 2005, which also serves as the Whole Foods corporate office.

Today the company operates more than 500 locations in the US, Canada, and the UK.

In June 2017, Whole Foods was acquired by Amazon for $13.7 Billion. The company is still struggling to make this endeavor a success two years later.

The company came under fire in the summer of 2019 for supporting the Drag Queen Story Hour. Christians are calling for a boycott of the company.

In August 2021, parent company Amazon stated that they would need to start charging for delivery service to stay profitable.

Headquarters, at this time, remain in Austin, Texas.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market began in 1978 when current CEO John Mackey and his girlfriend opened a natural food store called SaferWay in Santa Monica, California.

In 1980, SaferWay merged with another natural grocery store, resulting in the first Whole Foods location in Austin, Texas.

History

The following year, a huge flood devastated Austin. Whole Foods lost all of their inventory and had no insurance. Neighbors chipped in to help fix the damage.

In 1984, Whole Foods expanded to Houston and Dallas. In 1988, the expansion continued to New Orleans. In 1989, a Palo Alto location was opened on the west coast.

The company continued to grow in the 90s and the 100th location opened in Torrence, CA in 1999.

There were several acquisitions in the 2000s and the chain continued to grow. A flagship 80,000 sq ft store was built in Austin in 2005, which also serves as the Whole Foods corporate office.

Today the company operates more than 500 locations in the US, Canada, and the UK.

In June 2017, Whole Foods was acquired by Amazon for $13.7 Billion. The company is still struggling to make this endeavor a success two years later.

The company came under fire in the summer of 2019 for supporting the Drag Queen Story Hour. Christians are calling for a boycott of the company.

In August 2021, parent company Amazon stated that they would need to start charging for delivery service to stay profitable.

Headquarters, at this time, remain in Austin, Texas.